Season Watch Newsletter: 11/25/22

Happy Native American Heritage Day! This week's newsletter features the Northern Shrike, a student report that had me cackling, and an illuminating interview on treaty rights in Northern Minnesota.

FEATURE: Old Crossing Treaty of 1863

Zhaashiigid Nooding (a.k.a. Bob Shimek: treaty expert, indigenous rights advocate, and White Earth elder) shares his insights on the Old Crossing Treaty of 1863, which regards 11 million acres of land in Northern Minnesota. While the physical document may be old, the treaty itself continues to be relevant! Importantly, Native American tribes did not cede the rights to travel, hunt, fish, or gather on these lands. These rights continue to be important to indigenous communities. Yet another important issue that I had known nothing about!


Listen in!

Since this interview aired, the Pembina Band of Chippewa Indians won a class action lawsuit against the federal government due to mismanagement of treaty funds. Read more here.

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STUDENT AND LISTENER REPORTS

This week's reports feature returning ice, heavy snow, and some stinky skunks! Our students enjoyed seeing animal tracks, building snow forts, and getting excited about owls. There are some real gems this week- enjoy!


Hear our students' voices!

JOHN LATIMER'S WEEKLY REPORT

John teaches us about the Northern Shrike. A carnivorous songbird, these winter residents impale prey on thorns and barbed wire. (Who doesn't love a tiny predator?) John also discusses raven behavior: always a fascinating topic!


Listen to John's report!

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More dates and locations will be announced. Desperate to get in on the fun? Send me an email, and we'll set up a zoom meeting!

  • Save the date: 1/16: Phenology in the Classroom. Lac qui Parle Valley High School. Registration information TBA!
  • 2/11/23: Phenology in the Classroom and on the Radio. Back to Basics Conference, Pine River MN. Register here (opens 1/2/23).

SARAH'S RECOMMENDATION

Great food from native plants and indigenous authors: enjoy this short book list!


Original Local by Heid E. Erdrich


The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen by Sean Sherman and Elizabeth Dooley


The Good Berry Cookbook by Tashia Hart


Plants Have So Much To Give Us, All We Have To Do Is Ask by Mary Siisup Geniusz


Eat well!

Tail shape comparison of ravens (left) and crows (right). Ravens have wedge-shaped tails, while crows have squared-off or rounded tails.


Common Raven (Corvus corax). Ojibwe: Gaagaagi.


American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Ojibwe: Aandeg.

What's a turkey's favorite food?

Snoodles!

Northern Community Radio

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Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.